Van Persie, Best, Law, Rooney and six of the best Man United hat-tricks

Robin Van Persie scored a sensational hat-trick to reach 100 Premier League goals and serve notice that he will be a Golden Boot challenger at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman joins a long and illustrious list of players to bag a hat-trick for the Red Devils, as talkSPORT reveals with six of the best…

George Best v Northampton Town, FA Cup 5th round 1970
First Division Manchester United travelled to Fourth Division Northampton in February 1970, with a strong side including Bobby Charlton, Brian Kidd and George Best. Nobody gave the Cobblers a prayer against a team that had won the European Cup two years prior. They weren't wrong, as United ran out 8-2 victors , with Best scoring a double hat-trick.

Lee Sharpe v Arsenal, League Cup 4th round 1990
Lee Sharpe's one and only hat-trick in a Manchester United shirt came during a 6-2 rout away at Highbury to put United into the fifth round of the League Cup, in the days when that competition was taken very seriously. His first was a 25 yard right foot strike, dribbling past Lee Dixon before curling the shot into the top corner. His second was a header from six yards out after a cross from the right and he finished his hat-trick, after latching onto a Paul Ince through ball and placed the ball past Seamen to give United their fifth of the day.

Denis Law v Waterford, European Cup 1st round (1st & 2nd leg) 1968
United kicked off their defence of their first European Cup with a tie against Irish champions Waterford United. Manchester United were favourites and made light work of the tie, strolling through 10-2 on aggregate. Incredibly, Denis Law scored seven of the 10 goals, including a hat-trick at Lansdowne Road and another four back at Old Trafford. Law has more hat-tricks than any other United player with 18, these two against Waterford were his 14th and 15th.

Wayne Rooney v Fenerbache, Champions League Group phase 2004
For any 18-year-old footballer moving to a new club the debut is a nervy affair. Add to that a £26m transfer fee paid by Manchester United, with your bow being a Champions League match and you could certainly be forgiven for being terrified. Wayne Rooney, however, bagged a stunning hat-trick in a 6-2 victory over Fenerbache - including a fantastic free kick for his third.

Andy Cole v Feyenoord, Champions League Group phase 1997
Andy Cole scored five hat-tricks during his time at Old Trafford, two of which were in the Champions League. The first came away at Feyenoord, with United knowing a win would all but secure their place in the next round. They had already beaten the Dutch side at Old Trafford 2-1 but it was much smoother this time round as Cole ran the show and bagged himself three goals. United went on to the quarter finals before being knocked out by AS Monaco on away goals.

Van Nistelrooy v Sparta Prague, Champions League Group phase 2004
Going into this game Van Nistelrooy already had five hat-tricks in a United shirt, but none in the Champions League. The Dutch poacher put that to bed when he became the first United player in the Champions League era to score four goals in one game. He latched on to a poor back pass for the first, before converting a penalty after 25 minutes to send United in at half time 2-0 up. Zalenka pulled one back, but van Nistelrooy quickly restored the two goal lead, scoring his third on the hour mark before a stoppage time fourth. It was United's final group game and the win secured their place in the final 16.

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